While a lot of this “communication” stuff might sound like some touchy feely, sing koombaya, hug each other until it hurts baloney that you might find better suited for a therapist’s couch, it is indeed important. MOST problems in family owned businesses can be traced back to a direct result of either poor management practices and/or unprofessional communication practices. At least that has been our experience.

Maybe your family business has been able to beat the odds and there are no hidden agendas, alligators in the closet, jealousies or misunderstandings. Heh. Your investment in improving these areas of your business is MORE IMPORTANT than saving ¼ percent on your line of credit, or which combine gets overhauled this winter. Without a professional communications platform for your family farm, business stagnation, paralysis and breakup are often the ultimate outcome.

A few areas you might consider addressing in your family farm business are guidelines for meetings and personal accountability standards for you and your teammates. Discussing and developing the reasons and types of meetings you will hold can help end the sometimes useless meetings that can creep into your business.

The practice of Personal Accountability has several components as its foundation. One key component is the notion that each individual person on your team’s personal behavior adheres to the “It is My Mess. I Own It. It is Up to Me to Change It.” mindset. When interacting with others this involves asking questions in a different way. For example, asking “How” and “What” questions as compared to asking “Who”, “Why” and “When” questions.

“Why” questions invoke the notion that people have no control over their circumstances or environment. While sometimes this is true, you can always change your environment by changing your location…or mindset. “Why” questions invoke victimhood and “oh poor me” thinking. Like it’s one big pity party. This is not good.

“When” questions suggest someone else might be responsible and that all you can do it wait for something better…a form of procrastination. “When is management going to do this?” or “When will Billy do what he promised?”, etc. This is not good.

“Who” questions suggest that someone else is to blame. It’s the Blame Game. “Who made that decision?”. “Who is going to fix this?”, etc. This is not good.

“How” questions are a search for a solution. “How can we make better decisions?”. “How can I help you?”. “How are we going to fix this?”. This is good.

“What” questions seek answers. “What can be done?”. “What is the lesson to learn from this mistake?” “What is the solution?”. This is good.

Personal Accountability is all about being ready to answer the questions:

“How can you improve or change this situation?” and “What are you willing or able to do?”

By focusing on the situation, issue, opportunity or problem…and NOT other people… creativity, productivity and more harmonious relationships can develop.